Farmers' bid to export bush tucker to the world

Emma Clarke
Journalist
Emma has worked as a journalist in regional Queensland for four years, including Biloela and Rockhampton and most recently in Ipswich. Having previously covered the court and general news rounds, Emma is now the digital producer at the Queensland Times.

BEEF, fresh fruit and vegetables, seafood, dairy products and even bush tucker grown and produced in Queensland are on the menu overseas.

More than 30 regional communities and businesses have registered interest in hosting a $10 million produce export distribution centre pilot project since registrations opened in May.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said there was a high number of initial inquiries from potential proponents.

The export centre will increase access to agricultural produce for key international markets and grow jobs in surrounding regional areas.

"It's great to see so many registrations of interest in the project and we're now moving to the next stage by calling for expressions of interest (EOI) from potential proponents capable of developing and operating a commercial export distribution centre in a regional Queensland location," Mr Dick said.

"The Palaszczuk Government made an election commitment to provide up to $10 million from the Jobs and Regional Growth Fund to help fund this pilot project."

"The export centre will create regional jobs and enhance productivity, capitalising on our global reputation as a leader in the production and processing of quality agricultural produce.?

Minister for Agriculture, Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the earlier registration of interest (ROI) attracted strong interest from across regional Queensland and Australia, with more 30 registrations received.

"Potential locations proposed by respondents stretched across the state and included Bundaberg, Townsville, Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Cairns, Mackay and the Whitsundays," Mr Furner said.

"Regional agricultural produce proposed to be exported from the centre ranged from beef, fresh fruit and vegetables, seafood through to dairy products and even bush tucker."

Mr Dick said feedback from potential proponents during the ROI phase was used to refine eligibility criteria for the EOI process.

"It's vital to ensure all interested parties can pursue the opportunity via this EOI, to maximise benefits for regional Queensland," he said.

"Accordingly, this opportunity is open to all regional Queensland locations that have a connection with, or planned pathway to connect with, a regionally based airport with international export capacity.

"Our number one priority is to attract proponents capable of developing and operating a commercially viable export centre at a regional Queensland location".

When complete, the centre will include processing capacity, export biosecurity capabilities, cold storage and handling facilities to support predominantly agricultural exports.

"Potential proponents across the agricultural supply chain, from farmers, cooperatives, agricultural processors and distributors, freight and logistics companies through to airport owners/operators and local government entities are invited to lodge an expression of interest," Mr Dick said.

Proponents have until 5 pm October 2, 2018 to lodge an EOI. Access to the regional export distribution centre invitation for Expressions of Interest is available via www.dsdmip.qld.gov.au/export.